Ingenium 2024 - Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba

All of the seminars listed below will be hosted online via the Ingenium Hub. Every live session will be recorded and available to watch until January 2025 via the On-Demand Library.

Live Session Schedule - all virtual!

[Live Schedule]

(PDF Schedule)

Daily Live Sessions

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Over the last decade employee and leader well-being has been declining with many folks experiencing their own personal levels of burnout.

According to Gartner research, in 2022, employees' stress and worry grew above even 2020 peaks and nearly 60% of employees indicated they are stressed at their jobs every day. Where organizations previously focused on the ‘wellness' of the employee with the primary goal of ensuring employees were productive at work, we are not seeing the movement towards holistic well-being that impacts employee's life as whole.

In this session, we will explore how employees can move towards well-being and how we can advocate for and build a culture rooted in well-being in our workplace.

Jane Helbrecht

Jane Helbrecht is a leadership development and people & culture expert with over 15 years of experience in training and HR roles. Jane is a dynamic speaker who shares her insight, energy, and ideas to enable people leaders to thrive in their role. She delivers keynotes that inspires mind shifts, providing meaningful and practical tools all while helping leaders build long-term habits for change.

Jane speaks on leadership, organizational culture, and flexible work topics that will have an impact on leaders, emerging leaders, and HR professionals. She also speaks on helping others find and unleash their Big Work Energy.

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

The interview process is a key part of recruitment, but it can often feel complicated or confusing for both companies and applicants. Let's change that! This session will focus on insights to support both hiring managers and candidates seeking advancement or specifically their next leadership opportunity. We'll increase your confidence in interviews by demystifying phone screens & in-person interviews and covering: Interview process design for employers and Coaching tips for candidates to support success in interviews for leadership roles.

Jaysa Toet

Jaysa Toet is the Founder of Lively Consulting, a talent acquisition consulting firm providing recruitment training and full cycle recruitment. Jaysa's focus on livelihoods and the importance of career decisions is the "why" behind her work.

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Mass Timber is emerging as a safe, strong, reliable, beautiful and renewable structural material. However, many engineers may not have had mass timber included in their formal education due to past limitations in resources in Canada's post secondary education system.

This presentation will cover the following topics:

Basics of mass timber: what is it and how is it created?
Differences between working on mass timber building and working on a steel or concrete building during the design and construction phases
Other special considerations in working with mass timber
Benefits of embodied carbon in the structural system
Benefits of typical delivery methodology for a mass timber building including speed of construction due to pre-fabrication
Considerations of fire rating for members and connections
When to delegate design, what design, and why?
Resources for when it is time to design your first, second…. Or tenth mass timber building

Melissa Kindratsky P.Eng., LEED AP BD+C

With 20 years of experience as a structural engineer, Melissa Kindratsky leads Kalesnikoff Mass Timber's Engineering Department. Her experience in structural consulting means she deeply understands the whole building design process but is happiest when focusing on Mass Timber. She thrives in design-assist roles, helping make Mass Timber structures efficient; in material use, manufacturing, and during construction. She particularly enjoys the critical details that bring together a whole structure, specifically the connections. When she's not working with forest products, she can be found playing in the forest either on her mountain bike or skis.

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

This session delves into the transformative power of cultivating a dynamic coaching culture that empowers individuals, fosters growth, and drives sustainable success.

In today's competitive landscape, organizations that prioritize coaching stand out. A coaching culture emphasizes continuous learning, open communication, and mutual respect. It encourages employees to take ownership of their development, enhances collaboration, and increases engagement and retention rates.

During this talk, you'll discover practical strategies to embed coaching into your organization's DNA.Learn how to equip leaders with the skills to coach effectively, create a supportive environment that values feedback, and implement structured coaching programs. We'll share real-world examples and case studies that illustrate the tangible benefits of a coaching culture, from improved performance and innovation to enhanced job satisfaction and team cohesion.

Marderé Birkill MBL, CEC, PCC

Marderé Birkill is a captivating speaker and facilitator renowned for her dynamic presence and ability to engage audiences actively. With a track record of contributions to teams, committees, and boards spanning local to national levels, her expertise is sought after in navigating complex human dynamics. With international experience, she excels in working with diverse groups, ensuring every interaction is impactful and memorable. She is leading the authoring of the chapter on Compassionate Leadership for the Institute of Coaching, McClean @ Harvard, and writing a book on The Bottleneck Boss breaking these 12 Habits that will help leaders be effective in the VUCAH world.

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Manitoba's engineering sector faces increasing demands to adapt to rapid technological changes and environmental challenges. This presentation discusses practical applications of AI in engineering, focusing on its integration into current workflows to enhance decision-making, efficiency, and sustainability.

Diana Olynick P.Eng.

Diana Olynick is a registered professional engineer in Manitoba with extensive experience in engineering research and project management. Author of Interfaceless: Conscious Design For Spatial Computing With Generative AI with Springer Nature and forthcoming Designing Our Future, she has been invited as a speaker to international conferences like AWE in CA, to talk about her work at the intersection of immersive technologies, engineering and AI.

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Whether you are starting your career or about to retire this presentation will help you consider key elements that are relevant to your financial future. There are so many factors that are specific and unique to each retirement situation that, although it is not possible to be completely prescriptive in giving advice, it is helpful to review the planning process and discuss some of the most important and interdependent variables that will affect everyone in today's world.

This presentation will use the presenter's own experience and knowledge helping dozens of clients navigate into a successful retirement. The presentation will give a look inside an actual retirement plan and allow for plenty of questions and discussion. The focus will be placed on an overview and discussion of key considerations facing those preparing for retirement and will illuminate how these considerations, affecting most Canadians, are interrelated and dynamic. Whether you are just starting the savings process and looking at navigating the different account types related to your financial goals or are close to retirement and in need of detailed income planning for structuring a tax efficient retirement and estate, this presentation will bring you into the process of financial planning.

Eliott Einarson CFP. CIM

As a Financial Planner, Eliott's commitment is to develop and implement personalized retirement Plans. Client engagement in the process and understanding of options are the keys to success before implementing strategies to maximize income and minimize risks. The outcome of the retirement planning process is confidence and peace of mind.

Eliott holds the Certified Financial Planner designation, Chartered Investment Manager designation, a Bachelor of Education from Brandon University, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Manitoba. Eliott understands that each retirement situation is unique and uses his expertise and detailed process to create a personalized approach to retirement income planning. Many factors are unique to each retirement situation, and his planning process leads to long-term success. Eliott is a partner at a private Investment Management Firm and does not sell third-party financial products. His background includes being an educator, youth volunteer, martial artist, motorcyclist, dog owner, and traveler.

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

This talk will provide an introduction to geothermal energy, including an overview of subsurface components of geothermal systems, the applications of geothermal energy for power generation and direct use, and the diverse ways that engineering and geology is impacting projects. We will show examples of local and regional developments in Manitoba and beyond.

Kathleen Gould, P.Geo.

Kathleen Gould is an Account Executive for Seequent, supporting North American energy customers with software solutions for their subsurface projects in carbon storage, geothermal, oil and gas, and offshore wind. She has worked for almost two decades in the energy industry between the UK and Canada, in government, oil field services, and software, with a few years in mineral exploration. Kathleen holds an MSc in Geology and BSc (Honours) in Geology from Saint Mary's University, in Halifax, Canada.

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

As the Architect of Record, Grant spent over 10 years working on the design, contract documents, and construction of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, including several years on site as construction proceeded. This is a landmark project that is worthy of a retrospective view 10 years after initially opening to the public. It has an inspirational story and an equally interesting development process through design challenges and final realization - from both an architectural and engineering perspective. In addition to the award-winning efforts of the consulting engineering team, the building is notable for its innovative construction engineering. It is also a project of national significance, appearing on the current Canadian ten-dollar bill.

Grant Van Iderstine

Grant Van Iderstine is a Architectural Practice Leader in the Winnipeg office of Architecture49 where he has worked for over 35 years. Grant has applied his innovative nature to all projects he has been involved with, continually researching codes, standards, and technologies to push the envelope and drive the architectural industry forward. His continual focus on mentorship and knowledge sharing with colleagues at A49 as well as with the broader architectural community has enriched many professional lives. He has given more than 60 industry related lectures and has been a sessional lecturer as well as guest critic at the University of Manitoba on numerous occasions in the past. His projects include some of the most important recent buildings in Winnipeg, including the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, True North Square, and the 22-Storey Wawanesa Head Office Building to name a few. He was also Principal and Project Architect for Saskatoon's Remai Art Gallery that opened in 2018, a Governor-General's Award-winning project.

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Whether you are an executive or starting out in your career, having a solid network that you can leverage is vital. Yet few schools include courses about building and maintaining relationships. Effective networking is more than handing out business cards, having a LinkedIn profile, and hoping the phone rings. Whether you're looking to connect within your organization, your industry, or are looking to get on boards, knowing who to contact—and having them return your call—is essential.

In this session, you'll better understand how to create and maintain an effective network both in-person and online.

Learning Objectives

Better understanding of what networking is (and isn't)
Ways to get started when you haven't been in touch with people in your past
Tools and apps to organize your contacts so you can stay in touch
Overview of LinkedIn, how to set up a profile, and elements to include
Identifying organizations and events that are worth your time, money, and effort
Clarifying the results you can expect from networking
Building alliances with others who can help you advance your career

Diane Darling CGSP

Diane Darling is a consultant, keynote speaker, instructor, and leadership coach with over 20 years of experience in researching, developing, and educating on the role of professional networking strategies in individual career development and business performance. She offers virtual and in-person speaking engagements, one-on-one leadership coaching, and strategic consulting tailored to meet the specific needs of each client in a variety of industries, including accounting, architecture, law firms, and higher education. McGraw Hill has published Diane's networking strategies in over nine languages, including her popular books, The Networking Survival Guide and Networking for Career Success.

Diane's passion for networking and public speaking started at an early age when she attended six new schools before her senior year of high school. Her experience of learning to make friends and connect with strangers has become a lifelong skill, and one that she now teaches to others. She overcame her fear of public speaking by taking acting and stand-up comedy classes, which has contributed to her success and is now incorporated into her teachings, especially for introverts. Diane has traveled to all seven continents and approximately 60 countries, enriching her understanding of human encounters and communication.

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

In the words of the singer "Lady Gaga": We were born this way! Each of us enters this world with an innate personality that determines how we interact, engage, energize, think, and navigate our surroundings. Understanding who we are and being able to recognize traits in those around us can help make our teams and relationships more effective. Have you ever come away from a meeting with a completely different understanding of the outcomes than those of others who attended? What we hear, perceive and decide is affected by our personality.

This session will introduce you to the Myers Briggs Type Indicator tool and walk you through a self-assessment. You will also learn about additional resources to help you further your knowledge in this vast field and apply type research to conflict, team building, communication, and leadership.

Lisa Moretto

Lisa Moretto is the President of RGI International, Inc. and has over 25 years' experience teaching business and technical communication courses. She has taught at the School of Engineering at the Rochester Institute for Technology and is a Past President of the Rochester Engineering Society, in addition to being a member of IEEE Professional Communication Society. RGI's Manitoba clients include Manitoba Hydro, Richardson International, Health Canada, and several engineering firms.

Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science in Technical Communication and a Master of Science in User Interface Design. She has co-authored four books with Ron Blicq, including Get to the Point!, Guidelines for Report Writing, in addition to Technically Write! with Prentice Hall, and Writing Reports to Get Results with the IEEE Press. She consistently receives positive reviews about her ability to be an engaging and interactive presenter and is a regular presenter with the Get to the Point! technical writing course for engineering regulators. Lisa has worked for IBM and Hewlett-Packard as a professional technical communicator and continues to teach technical professionals that they too are technical communicators.

Thursday, November 21, 2024

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Professional Engineers and Geoscientists are required to meet high standards in document authentication and security. As professional environments increasingly shift toward digital practices, understanding how to leverage digital signatures for secure and reliable document authentication becomes crucial.

This webinar will explore how digital signatures ensure document authenticity and integrity in professional practice. Special attention will be given to cybersecurity aspects and compliance requirements in professional engineering. We will examine how digital signatures facilitate secure collaboration between professionals while maintaining authentication standards and professional obligations.

Topics include:

Professional digital signature fundamentals
Document authenticity and integrity
Digital signature compliance requirements
Security best practices
Secure professional collaboration

Mélanie Carrière

Mélanie Carrière serves as Director of Partnerships at Notarius, where she leverages her expertise in digital transformation and professional regulations to drive strategic partnerships. Prior to joining the organization in June 2021, she worked at Québec's professional engineering regulator (Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec) where she held various strategic positions focused on professional practice oversight and IT. During her tenure at OIQ, she developed comprehensive expertise in digital signatures and electronic documents, gaining valuable insights from both regulatory and member perspectives. This unique dual viewpoint enables her to understand and address the complex needs of professional organizations in their digital transformation journey, particularly in implementing secure electronic signature solutions.

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

With research being very minimal in effects of cold environment exposure to steel I girder and reinforced concrete deck composite bridge structures, Anthony aimed at designing and testing a structure that could be used as a baseline for future work. His objective was to construct a replicable 1:6 scale model of a typical steel I girder bridge structure and subject it to ultimate structural failure to determine baseline physical behaviors of the structure. Anthony's work is already being used for additional experiment setups in a larger project to understand environmental effects on steel I girder and reinforced concrete deck composite bridge structures colder temperatures.

Anthony Guerreiro

Anthony Guerreiro graduated from the University of Manitoba Price Faculty of Engineering in 2024 in Civil Engineering. For his innovation and excellence in his research, he is a recipient of the 2024 Student Achievement Award from Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba, as well as the James Wallace Black Memorial Prize for the best graduating thesis in Civil Engineering. He currently works for KGS Group as a structural Engineer in Training. In his free time, Anthony teaches piano to people of all ages and makes an award winning cup of coffee.

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

This session charts UMRT's journey from its founding to its first major competition. It highlights the challenges faced in establishing a new robotics team, including assembling members, securing resources, and navigating technical obstacles. The discussion will delve into the overall design and embedded architecture of the team's greenfield rover, alongside reflections on the team's experiences at CIRC 2024.

The session will also examine how lessons learned from the competition have influenced current design improvements. Attendees will gain insights into UMRT's future plans, focusing on expanded outreach, improved knowledge-sharing practices, and empowering new team members to sustain innovation and growth.

University of Manitoba Robotics Team

The University of Manitoba Robotics Team (UMRT) was established in June 2023 as a student-led initiative dedicated to advancing robotics in Manitoba. This multidisciplinary team made its debut at the 2024 Canadian International Rover Challenge (CIRC) in Drumheller, Alberta. With a collaboratively developed greenfield rover design, the team secured 11th place out of 20 participants, demonstrating resilience, ingenuity, and a strong commitment to overcoming complex engineering challenges.

UMRT's mission emphasizes fostering technical excellence, promoting collaboration, and engaging the community. The team strives to develop innovative solutions while sharing knowledge to inspire future engineers and expand the impact of robotics both within the university and throughout Manitoba.

UMRT Presenters:

Abraham Ahmed - Co-Founder/System Lead 23/24, Embedded Lead 24/25
Minjeong (MJ) Kang - Co-Founder/Current President 24/25
Edcel Abanto - System Lead 24/25
Nikolaus Reichert - Embedded Lead 23/24

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Few universities in Canada offer formal engineering training in arctic and permafrost engineering, and unfortunately very little of classic engineering training is of use when engineering in permafrost. This presentation will begin with a basic primer in permafrost engineering, including what is permafrost, what can go wrong in permafrost engineering, what are some of the innovative design solutions, and what are the future challenges facing permafrost engineering in light of current climate changes.

Dr. Robert Kenyon Ph.D., P.Eng., FEIC

Dr. Robert Kenyon is a professional engineer, with a Ph.D specializing in permafrost engineering and with 40 years of professional practice. His career began with reconstruction on the Alaska Highway where he was first exposed to permafrost. He, along with Ken Skaftfeld, is co-editor of the Canadian Foundation Engineering Manual, 5th edition, 2023. Rob is currently President of the Canadian Geotechnical Society, on appointment as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Manitoba, and a Specialist Advisor - Geotechnical to KGS Group.

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

This conference session will examine the critical weaknesses and failures in various risk management system elements that ultimately caused a disaster through the Boeing 737 case study. It will discuss lessons learned for leadership in engineering safety and risk management in any organization. This case study will underscore the importance of proactive risk management, robust engineering practices, and regulatory oversight in preventing harm.

Dr. Lisa White P.Eng., PhD, FEC

Dr. Lisa White is currently a professional engineer and industrial professor within the school of engineering safety and risk management in the faculty of engineering at the University of Alberta. Dr. White holds a PhD from the school of environment and sustainability at the University of Saskatchewan in the area of strategic environmental assessment for sustainable resource development and planning and was awarded the Fellow of Engineers Canada (FEC) designation in 2023.

Dr. White has over 20 years of engineering consulting experience related to policy development, environmental risk assessment, site assessment, impact assessment, and environmental regulatory compliance.

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

With over 35 years of experience in studying and interpreting Manitoba weather, John Sauder joins us for an exclusive presentation on current local weather patterns, and why weather apps provide different forecasts based on their different weather modelling systems.

John Sauder

John Sauder is a retired Canadian meteorologist who became a local icon as the chief meteorologist for CBC Manitoba. He began his career as "Captain John", the first and only pilot & live traffic reporter. He then moved into live weather forecasting, providing insightful and engaging commentary to viewers. He quickly became a trusted source of information across the province with his ability to explain complex weather phenomena in an accessible way. He is also known for his community involvement and passion for weather education, often speaking at schools and events.